Interesting structures... Ideas??

[Kellzies]

Hello!
Currently on the last leg of our Camino! Only 50k to go!

Throughout all the little hamlets of Galicia we've been seeing these interesting structure. Anyone know what they're used for? Some are made completely of sticks, but most are made of bricks with holes (assuming for some kind of ventilation). Some also have years above the door. My dad and I have been coming up with all sorts of theories (funny and legit), but we'd love to find out what they're really for!

Buen Camino!

 

[mspath]

Kellzies,

These structures known as horreios are traditional sheds for drying grain or corn. They are raised to prevent animals from entering easily and ventilated to allow the produce to dry. Google the term and you will find many original examples throughout Galicia. As you walk along you might also spot an adaptation in metal of this vernacular form used recently for contemporary bus shelters !!

Buen camino,

Margaret Meredith

 

[musicagl]

I saw one being used as a beehive. The door was open and you could see the bee boxes. And the structure was surrounded by bees.

 

[indyinmaine]

There's oodles on this on another thread.

 

[William Marques]

http://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/galicia-and-its-horreos.24273/

 

[scruffy1]

Margaret got it right, again! They can be found in Spain, Ireland, and even something similar in Norway! Classically they stand on mushroo shaped legs so that rodents cannot climb up, the same idea as ratguards on the ropes tying ships to the wharf.

 

[Kellzies]

http://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/galicia-and-its-horreos.24273/

Thanks for the thread link! I had no idea how to search for these things.

Our best theory was a "Crying Room" for unruly children... But drying out grain was a close second

 

[KentuckyJay]

Hello!
Currently on the last leg of our Camino! Only 50k to go!

Throughout all the little hamlets of Galicia we've been seeing these interesting structure. Anyone know what they're used for? Some are made completely of sticks, but most are made of bricks with holes (assuming for some kind of ventilation). Some also have years above the door. My dad and I have been coming up with all sorts of theories (funny and legit), but we'd love to find out what they're really for!

Buen Camino!

View attachment 11794

As said previously, they are called horreos and according to residents I spoke to along the way, they are used to store prain, potatoes, etc. I took many many photos of them and posted them to the Forum.

 

[backpack45]

Until we figured it out, we wondered if they were tiny private rooms for meditation, or little chapels, or tombs!

 

[Stephen Nicholls]

Lots of them are still used for storing maize. You can buy new ones, tastefully made to look old .
The largest in Spain seems to be this one -



...it's on the coast of Galicia, and I plan to include it in my 2015 camino!!